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Khalid bin Salman Discusses Regional Developments, Bilateral Relations with Top US Officials

Prince Khalid bin Salman during his meeting with Minister Lloyd Austin at the presence of Saudi Ambassador Princess Rima bint Bandar in Washington
Prince Khalid bin Salman during his meeting with Minister Lloyd Austin at the presence of Saudi Ambassador Princess Rima bint Bandar in Washington
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Khalid bin Salman Discusses Regional Developments, Bilateral Relations with Top US Officials

Prince Khalid bin Salman during his meeting with Minister Lloyd Austin at the presence of Saudi Ambassador Princess Rima bint Bandar in Washington
Prince Khalid bin Salman during his meeting with Minister Lloyd Austin at the presence of Saudi Ambassador Princess Rima bint Bandar in Washington

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks Wednesday with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and other US officials during his visit to Washington.

Prince Khalid said in a tweet that the meeting with Blinken discussed the strategic Saudi-US partnership, reviewed the latest developments in the region, and explored ways to strengthen Saudi-US ties.

They also reviewed coordination between the two countries and "discussed opportunities for cooperation over a wide range of issues."

The Prince also met Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland to discuss the partnership between the two countries and regional and international developments.

The White House confirmed Washington's commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia in defending its territories and maintaining its security from the attacks of the Iranian-backed Houthi group, praising the long-term relations between the two countries and the partnership in achieving regional security.

National Security Council (NSC) Spokesperson Emily Horne announced that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met in Washington with Prince Khalid to discuss the longstanding partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, regional security, and the US commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups.

"They also discussed the importance of coordinating efforts to ensure a strong global economic recovery, to advance the climate agenda, and to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East," said Horne, adding that they agreed to stay in touch regularly over the coming months to discuss these issues.

Prince Khalid said in a tweet that he reviewed with Sullivan mutual coordination between the two countries within the framework of the historic partnership and discussed regional and international developments as well as issues of mutual concern.

Also, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the US commitment to the defense partnership with Saudi Arabia, expressing concerns over Iran's destabilizing activity.

Austin also referred to the tweet of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl with the Saudi Deputy Minister, stressing the importance of ending the war in Yemen, appreciating Saudi support of US Special Envoy Lenderking.

"Enjoyed seeing Saudi Vice MinDef during his meeting w/ @DOD_Policy. Emphasized US commitment to our defense partnership, expressed concerns over Iran’s destabilizing activity, the importance of ending the war in Yemen, & appreciation for Saudi support of US Spec. Envoy Lenderking," tweeted Austin.

Prince Khalid bin Salman said that during his visit to the United States, he held extensive talks at the Pentagon with Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, and Kahl.

"We discussed the longstanding and historic partnership between our two countries, our military and defense cooperation, and our mutual efforts to preserve regional stability."

According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, the US Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, also attended the meeting.

Deputy Press Secretary for the Department of Defense Jamal Brown said Kahl met with Prince Khalid at the Pentagon to reaffirm the US-Saudi defense relationship.

Kahl emphasized the US commitment to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory and people.

Brown said in a statement that the two leaders discussed a range of issues related to regional security and stability, particularly efforts to end the war in Yemen and the shared US-Saudi commitment to counter Iran's destabilizing activities.

ِAccording to Brown, Kahl thanked Vice Minister Prince Salman for working closely and constructively with US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking to end the war in Yemen and condemned the Houthi cross-border attacks.

As part of the visit, the Saudi Deputy Defense Minister held a joint meeting with the US National Security Council's coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk, and the US Special Envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking.

The meeting discussed the latest developments in Yemen, the Kingdom's firm position in supporting the brotherly Yemeni people and their legitimate government, and efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution and achieve security and stability in Yemen.

Prince Khalid revealed in a tweet that he also held talks with US envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman.

The two sides reviewed the Kingdom's efforts to support the security and stability of the African continent and its efforts to aid its progress and development.

For his part, State Department spokesman Ned Price announced that the Saudi deputy secretary of defense would hold a series of meetings with US officials, including State Department officials as well as NSC and DOD.

"They'll be discussing important issues to the bilateral relationship. We do expect some readouts will be issued over the course of that visit."

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Gulf

Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Several prominent figures from Yemen's Hadhramaut praised on Monday's Saudi Arabia's stance on the governorate that prevented it from sliding towards deeper unrest and instability.

The figures told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom's position was not limited to tackling the current crisis, but paves the way for a new phase of stability and development as parties prepare for a Riyadh conference on the southern issue.

The conference will mark a turning point in "rearranging" the political scene in the South, they remarked.

Hadhramaut is at a pivotal moment that demands united ranks that will come up with a unified vision that preserves the governorate's interests and allows it to play an effective role in any future political process, they added

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Arabia's "historic" stance and determination over the December 3 developments prevented the governorate from slipping into chaos.

Hadhramaut may have escaped the crisis, but it has embarked on a new path towards progress and development, he stated.

The call for intra-south dialogue is a sign that a secure and stable future is on the horizon, he noted.

"We are already seeing these signs with Saudi Arabia's brotherly support," he remarked.

Another member of the council, Al-Hakam Abdullah al-Nahdi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the support offered by Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, will be "etched in Hadhramaut's memory and relayed to generations to come."

"Hadhramaut represents a natural strategic depth to the Kingdom and its security is indivisible from Saudi Arabia's," he added.

"Were it not for Saudi Arabia's stance, we would have been mired in chaos," he went on to say.

He said he was optimistic about the future as long as Saudi Arabia was by Hadhramaut's side, calling on the people to "seize this opportunity by rallying together and shunning division."

Gulf

Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
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Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)

Somalia's government said on Monday that it was annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense and ‌security cooperation, ‌citing ‌evidence ⁠the UAE had ‌undermined its national sovereignty. 

"The Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates, ⁠including those involving federal governmental ‌institutions, affiliated entities, and ‍regional administrations ‍operating within the territory ‍of the Federal Republic of Somalia," a statement from Somalia's Council of Ministers said. 

"This decision applies to all agreements ⁠and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ... (and) bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the statement added. 

Gulf

Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
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Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)

At a highly sensitive regional juncture, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali issued a clear warning against any unilateral recognition of breakaway regions, describing such moves as unviable and politically irresponsible, with negative repercussions for bilateral relations and regional stability.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ali stressed the alignment between Mogadishu and Riyadh on the need to shield the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical rivalries.

He said his second visit to Saudi Arabia within two weeks reflects the depth of coordination with the Kingdom amid rapidly evolving regional developments, particularly those related to maritime security and the Horn of Africa.

Objectives of the Saudi visit

Ali said the primary aim of his visit was close consultation with Saudi Arabia on accelerating regional developments, notably those affecting the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and maritime navigation security.

He added that discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across political, economic, security and development fields, while ensuring full coordination on issues touching on Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and stability.

He noted that the visit — his second to Riyadh in less than two weeks — underscored the intensity of engagement with the Kingdom at a delicate moment, saying that his previous meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan featured frank and constructive talks aimed at preventing escalation, maintaining regional balance and upholding international law.

Ali also highlighted the convening of an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address what he described as the “illegal violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” calling it further evidence of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in supporting regional stability.

Historic relations

The foreign minister described relations between Somalia and Saudi Arabia as “strong, historic and strategic,” grounded in shared faith, longstanding people-to-people ties and converging regional interests.

He said Somalia views the Kingdom as a key partner in national recovery, security-sector reform, economic stabilization and regional diplomacy, adding that current discussions are focused on translating this partnership into tangible outcomes that benefit both countries and reinforce wider regional stability.

Firm rejection of recognition of “Somaliland”

Ali stressed that the Somali federal government “categorically rejects” any declaration or action aimed at recognizing any part of Somalia as a separate entity. Such steps, he said, lack any legal basis, violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravene international law, the UN Charter, the OIC charter and African Union principles.

He expressed Somalia’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s principled stance in support of Somali unity, as well as for regional and international partners that have voiced solidarity with Mogadishu.

He warned that unilateral recognition would not merely be a political position but a “destabilizing precedent” threatening the regional order. He added that Somalia is addressing the issue through balanced diplomacy and close coordination with regional and international partners.

A pivotal and constructive Saudi role

Ali said Saudi Arabia plays a “pivotal and constructive” role in promoting stability and security in the Arab world, the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa, noting that its leadership in diplomacy, de-escalation and maritime security is widely recognized and appreciated.

Potential repercussions

The foreign minister warned that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland would be “legally and practically null and void,” further exacerbating fragility in a region already facing serious security, humanitarian and climate challenges. He said that such moves encourage fragmentation, fuel proxy conflicts and open the door to external interference, undermining the security of the Horn of Africa and international maritime navigation.

Militarization of the Red Sea

Ali said Mogadishu and Riyadh share a vital interest in protecting one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, stressing the need to keep the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden free from militarization and illegal activities.

“We agree on the necessity of keeping the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden away from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical brinkmanship,” he underlined.